Feed-water regulator and low-water alarm



(No mode A Y r J. S. STEELE. FEED WATER REGULATOR AND LOW WATER ALARM. No. 570,066.

Patented Oct. 27, 1896.

7 arms PEIERS In. mamrrucu W155 UNITED STATES PATENT OEEicE.

JAMES S. STEELE, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

FEED-WATER REGULATOR AND LOW-WATER ALARM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 570,066, dated October 2'7, 1896.

Application filed March 2, 1896.

T0 aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES S. STEELE, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in FeedlVater Regulators and Low-VVater Alarms, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in regulators, and relates more particularly to that class known as feed-water regulators.

The invention has for its object the provision of new and novel means whereby the gage of the water in the boilermay be readily determined by the construction of a regulator that will automatically give an alarm when the water reaches the low-water mark.

A still further object of the invention is to construct a feed-water regulator, as above described, that can readily be placed in position on any boiler or series of boilers; furthermore, that will be extremely simple in its construction, strong, durable, effectual in its operation, and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

WVith the above and other objects in View the invention finally consists in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter more specifically described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In describing the invention in details reference is had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and wherein like letters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views, in which Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a portion of the boiler, showing my improved feed-water regulator in position. a side elevation of my improved regulator. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectionalview of the same. Fig. 4 is an enlarged side elevation of a portion of the operating-levers.

In the drawings, a represents the feed-water pipe, to which is secured, within the boiler 12, the valve 0. The casing of this valve 0 is formed at the front with lugs cl cl at each side, to which is secured by means of bolts 6 Fig. 2 is' Serial No. 581,453. (No model.)

6 a plate f, formed with an inclined opening against which the pluggrests. This pluggis formed with a square, octagon, or othersuitably-shaped outer end h, which is adapted to receive the boss 2', formed on the arm j. This arm is bent downward slightly, and carries on its lower end a float 7a, which may be composed of copper or other suitable material, and the portion of the arm j that extends on the other side of the boss i is provided with an aperture, which is adapted to receive an upright rod l, having an adjustable collar or I sleeve 1%, adapted to rest on the arm j. The plate f is provided with an upwardly-extending portion f, on which is formed an angleshaped portion f This angle-shaped portion is provided with an aperture which receives the upright rod Z and retains the same in a vertical position. Underneath this portion is pivotally secured to the vertical rod Z an arm n, which is also pivot-ally connected at the inner edge of the upwardly-extending portion f and to the operating-rod o of the valve 12, connected to the steam-pipe g, which is provided with a whistle r to give an alarm when the low-water lineis reached, as will be hereinafter more fully explained.

I The operation of my improved automatic feed-water regulator is as follows: When the parts have been secured in their respective positions, as shown in the drawings, the water is fed to the boiler through the feed-pipe a until the desired quantity is obtained in the boiler. WVhen the boiler is empty, the float 7t will be suspended in alinement with the feed-water pipe, which will operate the plug g, bringing the openingin alinement with the pipe and allowing the water to pass through the valve. As the water rises in the boiler it will raise the float it, automatically closing the valve until the supply of water is shut off. As the water in the boiler becomes heated and begins to recede the float 76 will descend therewith until the low-water mark is reached,

causing the upper end of the arm j to raise the vertical rod Z, lifting the cross-arm n, which in turn raises the operating-rod 0 of the steamvalve and allowing the steam to pass into the ICC steam-pipe to the alarm-whistle r and giving the alarm to the engineer or attendant.

It will be noted that my improved automatic feed-water regulator and alarm will be particularly useful in cases where it is impossible for the engineer to be in attendance at the boilers at all times, as should the danger or the low-water line be reached when the engineer is absent the alarm will be given by the whistle, and the water can be turned on in the boiler before any danger is caused to the boiler.

It will also be noted that no special construction is required which will prevent the attachment of my improved regulator to any boiler or series of boilers now in use, and by relieving the engineer of the necessity of watching the stage of the water in the boiler will allow him to devote more time to the engine, &c.

It will also be noted that various changes may be made in the details of construction of my improved automatic feed-water regulator and alarm without departing from the general spirit of my invention.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In an automatic feed-water regulator, a valve attached to the feed-water pipe within the boiler, an arm having a boss adapted to engage 011 the plug of the valve, said arm having a float secured to its lower end and having an aperture in its upper end adapted to receive an upright rod provided with a pivotally-attached cross-arn1 secured to the op erating-rod of the steam-valve, substantially as shown and described.

2. In a regulator for boilers, a valve secured to the feed-water pipe, said valve having a front plate which retains the plug in position and provided with an upwardly-projecting portion carrying an angleplate, in combination with an operatingarm attached to the plug and having a float on its lower end and supporting an upright rod on its upper end, said rod having an adjustable collar, across-arm pivotally attached to the upright rod and to the projecting portion of the plate and operating-rod of the steam-valve, sub stantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES S. STEELE. \Vitnesses:

ALFRED M. WILsoN, II. E. SEIBERT. 

